New Delhi:
As the Delhi Assembly elections approach, the severely polluted state of the Yamuna River has become a pivotal issue, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi squarely targeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal for his alleged failure to address the problem. In a recent video, Gandhi conducted a thorough inspection of the river, interacting with locals, boatmen, and researchers to highlight the dire condition of the Yamuna.
Gandhi’s critique is particularly timely, given the longstanding promises made by Kejriwal to clean the river. Five years ago, Kejriwal had boldly promised to take a dip in the Yamuna, a pledge that remains unfulfilled. The video released by Gandhi shows the river filled with garbage, sewage, and pollutants, painting a stark picture of neglect and environmental degradation.
During his inspection, Gandhi spoke to various stakeholders who unanimously condemned the current state of the river. Researchers explained the complex issues, including the diversion of clean water for sewage treatment and the dumping of untreated sewage back into the river. This cycle has exacerbated the pollution, making the water unsafe even for basic use.
Kejriwal’s recent allegations that the BJP government in Haryana is mixing poison in Delhi’s water supply have been met with strong criticism from both the BJP and the Congress. The Election Commission, following a complaint from the BJP, asked Kejriwal to provide concrete evidence to back his claims, which he failed to do. In response, Kejriwal issued a “drink if you dare” challenge, offering bottles of Yamuna water to his critics, a move seen as a desperate attempt to deflect criticism.
The BJP and Congress have slammed Kejriwal’s allegations as baseless and misleading, with Haryana BJP MPs demanding a public apology and threatening legal action. This exchange highlights the political posturing surrounding the Yamuna’s pollution, an issue that has significant environmental and health implications for Delhi’s residents.
As the Delhi Assembly elections are set for February 5, 2025, the Yamuna’s condition has become a critical point of contention in the political discourse. Gandhi’s challenge to Kejriwal to drink from the Yamuna or take a dip in it underscores the urgency and seriousness of the issue, pushing it to the forefront of the electoral debate.
